Discussions at the Mining Indaba must focus on collaborations that will unlock the full potential of critical minerals for the benefit of all people, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.
“Our discussions today – and throughout the Mining Indaba – must, therefore, focus on how we can encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors, financial institutions, investors, and communities to unlock the full potential of our critical minerals for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Speaking at the Ministerial Symposium session ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba held at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, Mantashe said mobilising capital at the scale required for exploration, responsible mining, and value-addition closer to the point of production cannot be achieved by governments alone.
“Nor can it be achieved by the private sector operating in isolation. It requires partnership,” he said, adding that South Africa is already acting on this approach through the establishment of the Junior Mining Exploration Fund.
The fund is a deliberate intervention, whose early outcomes point to substantial untapped mineral potential. From an initial allocation of R400 million, the Fund has already attracted pledges amounting to R2 billion.
“This demonstrates investor appetite where policy intent and financial instruments are aligned. While this is encouraging, it remains insufficient.”
He added that across the African continent, significant geological potential remains under-explored.
“We must intensify geological exploration and mapping across the continent through collaborative partnerships and alignment. Such efforts are essential to alleviate the scarcity of critical minerals and to diversify the geographic sources of production.
“Equally critical in the mining value chain is investment in infrastructure, processing facilities, and industrial ecosystems within producer countries. This is where partnerships become decisive: partnerships that align mining investment with infrastructure development, thereby ensuring that greater value is retained locally.”
In addition, he bemoaned the era of Africa competing against itself on who offers the lowest returns as not being a sustainable investment strategy.
“The opportunity before us is to structure partnerships that are transparent, predictable, and mutually beneficial. If we succeed, Africa’s mineral endowment will not only supply raw minerals to global markets but will [also] anchor industrialisation, create jobs, and support inclusive growth across the continent.
“Let us use this opportunity to bridge our differences and chart a clear and collective pathway towards Africa’s success, anchored in the responsible and strategic use of our mineral endowment,” said the Minister.
The Minister said that the G20 Declaration and the G20 Critical Minerals Framework of the first G20 Summit held on African soil in November last year provide a clear pathway forward.
“It seeks to unlock investment in mineral exploration, promote local beneficiation at source, and strengthen governance for sustainable mining practices. It affirms the right of mineral-endowed countries to harness their resources for industrialisation and inclusive growth, while providing long-term certainty.”
He said the key enabler of these initiatives is partnership.
In an advisory earlier this week, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said South Africa hosts the Investing in African Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 8 to 12 February 2026.
Investor confidence
The indaba brings together African leaders, industry stakeholders, and investors to discuss the responsible development of the continent’s mineral resources amid global geopolitical uncertainty.
“The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and its entities will use the Indaba platform to restore and strengthen investor confidence in South Africa’s mining sector. Since the previous Indaba, the Department has made significant progress in ensuring stability, policy certainty, and growth through the implementation of a transparent Mining Licensing System, the launch of the Critical Minerals Strategy, and the Junior Mining Exploration Fund, which has accelerated exploration activity and contributed to the discovery of new mineral deposits,” said the DMPR.
In line with its national strategy to build responsible, high-value supply chains, the DMPR will host several engagements on the sidelines of the Indaba, including the African Ministers’ Critical Minerals Roundtable, the Investor Dialogue on Building Critical Minerals Value Chains, the South Africa Exploration Investment Forum, the Women in Mining Brunch, and the Young Professionals Forum.
READ | Mining Indaba to strengthen collaboration between government, investors
Minister Mantashe is set to address the official opening ceremony of the indaba on Monday, 09 February. -SAnews.gov.za
